When God Says No: Learning the Obedience That Leads to Blessing

Heather M Larribas
Jan 5
3 min read

Good morning, friends. As we step back into the rhythm of a new year, I want to ask you an honest question.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “How can I truly be obedient to God?”

Most of us understand obedience in the context of our earthly parents. Growing up, we all heard the word no. We wanted something badly, and our parents refused. At the time, it felt unfair. Later, we often realized that their “no” protected us from harm or disappointment we could not yet see.

Our Heavenly Father works the same way.

God says no not to punish us, but to protect us. Scripture reminds us that God is a good Father who sees the full picture, not just the moment we are standing in. When He withholds something, it is never because He is cruel or distant. It is because He knows what is best for us, even when we do not.

A glowing sign reads "THAT REJECTION WAS A BLESSING" against a dusky sky, conveying a reflective and positive mood.

How God Speaks and How We Often Miss It

One of the places we get stuck is recognizing how God actually speaks.

God speaks through His Word first and foremost. He also speaks through circumstances, through wise counsel, and through the quiet nudges of the Holy Spirit. Many people say, “I just had a feeling,” or “Something did not sit right with me.” That gentle conviction matters and should not be ignored.

When you bring a question before the Lord and sit quietly with Him, pay attention.

If there is peace, clarity, and alignment with Scripture, He may be giving you permission to move forward. If there is confusion, unrest, or a strong internal hesitation, that may be God asking you to wait. If there is silence, that often means do nothing yet.

Waiting is not inactivity. Waiting is obedience.

Highlighted quote: "I asked God for flowers and He gave me rain." Below, text reads, "When you understand this, everything starts to make sense."

The Hardest Obedience Is Patience

One of the hardest lessons obedience teaches us is patience.

We live in a world of instant access. We want answers now. We want results now. We want relief now. But God is not rushed. When He asks us to wait, it is because the timing matters just as much as the blessing.

A blessing received too early can become a burden. What God has for you is never less than what you want. It is often far more. But it requires trust.

Scripture tells us that Jesus Himself learned obedience through what He suffered. Even He submitted fully to the Father’s will, including waiting, surrender, and sacrifice. If obedience was the path Jesus walked, we should not be surprised when God invites us to walk it too.

Illuminated text on a wall reads "GOD IS PROTECTING YOU" with a warm glow. Background is light-colored, with greenery on the side.

Learning to Accept God’s No

We do not like hearing no. Not as children and not as adults. Yet sometimes the most loving thing God can say is no. Other times, He says not yet.

Obedience is not about control. It is about trust.

As you move through your day, pause and ask yourself:

Am I listening for God’s voice, or am I pushing for my own outcome?
Am I willing to wait if He asks me to wait?
Am I willing to accept no if it protects me from something I cannot yet see?

A Question to Carry With You Today

What is one area of your life where God may be asking you to slow down, wait, or surrender, and what would obedience look like if you trusted Him fully?

Faith Under Fire is moving forward into 2026, and I am so grateful you are walking this journey with us. Keep challenging yourself. Keep inviting others into deeper faith. As you grow spiritually, God will reveal His blessings in ways that are far greater than you imagined.

Have a beautiful day. We will talk soon.

Love and light to you always,